But when Azim bought the Coronation Parade restaurant in August, he had no idea of the extent of the problems.

He said: “It’s a good location and the customers are excellent here. I have known a lot of them for a long time as I used to work here. I have made many friends here.

“Then I left to set up my own restaurants and I bought this one in August this year.

“I know the owner, and he unfortunately was in hospital, which is why I think he was finding it difficult to keep on top of things.

"But the council has have inspected my other restaurants – one has a four-star rating and the other five stars.

"We have changed the chairs and tables and bought new kitchen equipment, and brought the menu up to date with traditional and modern dishes.”

As is fitting with the its coastal location, Mr Chowdhury and his two head chefs have come up with a menu that includes lots of sea dishes, like scallops and garlic fried squid, tandoori sea bass and trout and a seafood platter.

But most popular dish to date is a lamb shank – ordered specially from local Eastleigh butchers – and Sundays are family days when children are welcome for a special Sunday buffet.

More unusual dishes come in the form of thengapal duck – in caramelised onion, bell peppers and fennel – or a banquet special of whole leg of ‘kurgee’ lamb, specially marinated in a secret combination of herbs and roasted.

There is a good selection of vegetarian dishes, and the wine menu lists 24 reds and whites, five different champagnes and a selection of classic cocktails.

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